Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
9/11 video flash back. Sort of. If you can watch through this entire video, you’ll be pissed. John O’Neill knew what was upcoming but instead bureaucracy, not enough kiss ass, and working too hard seemed to do him in, and ultimately gave way to the 9/11 disaster. I recall after 9/11 there were agents in various groups who felt something was coming soon, but were afraid to say something for the same reasons that did John O’Neill in. It was in the news. I’m sure the FBI is back to it’s old ass kissing game at everyone’s expense and safety. Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.
Continue reading
A decade has passed since Al Qaeda’s attack on the World Trade Center. Multiple news sources have commemorated the event as a moment of self-reflection in which America and the world have evolved–for better or worse–in the Post-9/11 world. Salon ran a story by Matt Zoller Seitz describing some of the ways in which popular culture changed and reacted to the event. We know about America. How did the rest of Asia fare? Mark Austin recalled what it was like in the newsroom at the Daily Yomiuri when both planes struck America’s shoulders. Nothing too interesting to tell and as far as I know, no one has openly recalled on this anniversary of anniversaries how the War on Terror influenced Japanese pop culture. Let’s start with cinema. Battle Royale II: Requiem contained several less than subtle references to the landscape of the time. The most unsettling part about the sequel is that the survivors of the first film formed their own terrorist cell called the “Wild Seven.” The movie veered dangerously close to glorifying terrorism and resistance as a mode of existential relevancy. For video games, Konami released Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, shortly after the attacks. The moral ambiguity of the terrorist antagonists of the game didn’t cause any substantial changes or delays. However, developer Hideo Kojima had to make some last minute changes to the script and cut scenes where downtown “Arsenal Gear” devastated Ellis Island and downtown Manhattan. He further more removed a scene where the American flag fell on the Solidus’s corpse. Additionally, Japan’s Hip Hop scene had a few words of their own to say on the matter. The controversial rap group, King Giddra, released their single, “911,” on the first anniversary of the attack. They criticized the hypocrisy of America’s War on Terror and the Japanese government’s complicity in America’s grand agenda. With the exception of Hideo Kojima, these twoexamples represent a moment in which America’s position in the world came into question. To a certain extent, I wonder whether it marked a moment where Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution on the country’s pacifism came into question. As we all remember, 9/11 eventually led to the Iraq War and then Prime Minister Koizumi supported the invasion with a provision of troops from the Japanese Self Defense Force. America’s inability to secure an immediate victory further called the article’s legitimacy into doubt. If America couldn’t protect itself or prevail as a super power, then how are they going to safeguard Japan? No sooner than this, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a review of the constitution in 2007 to endow Japan with a stronger role in the world and bolster the country’s national pride. What I’m getting at is that 9/11 may have temporarily thrown the ball further into the Japanese Right’s court. K Dub Shine of King Giddra possessed some right wing views of his own. He produced the soundtrack to the Sakura of Madness film where a Neo-Tojo gang targets...
Continue reading
9/11 is bringing up plenty of stories and more. Yet one sorry that we don’t hear enough about is the man who designed the iconic Twin Towers. He might not want to be remembered for this buildings last legacy, however the Towers were among the most known buildings in world. He beat out numerous architects to get this job and unlike the many big name architects, his works aren’t known by name, but by design. He also designed the Century Towers in Los Angeles. It’s obvious that it has a resemblance to the Twin Towers. The linked article is extensive and does a good job in describing the architect. (pnwlocalnews – Minoru Yamasaki)
Continue reading
Chinatown NY. Once a tourist trap in NYC, now is facing tons of issues post 9/11. Not mentioned of course is the overall reaching national economic problems which appeared evident in NYC prior to LA or SF. The stats in the article sound fatal for the once vibrant area. Shops closed, traffic weaned away, tourist buses rerouted, and signs saying to stay away from Lower Manhattan. Granted, you can get the mix tapes, faux fashion items, and just regular fun goods, yet the tourists haven’t been there in the typical mass. The garment district is doomed. Out of it all, maybe an awakening of taking back the area! (NYDailyNews – Chinatown)
Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2011 Sidewalk Sale and Cat Adoption Sunday, September 11, 2011, 12:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. GR2 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 gr2.net (310) 445-9276 Giant Robot Los Angeles – West LA, Sawtelle Blvd’s tradition of pet adoptions continue. This time, the West LA Shelter will bring down our feline friends – Cats. We understand that September 11th will be a very powerful memorial day, and we feel that in order to observe it correctly, is to get out and exercise your freedom. Aside from having adoptable cats, Giant Robot will also have a sidewalk sale filled with overstocked merchandise marked down, sale items, electronics, knickknacks, books from “the office”, and much more. This will take place outdoors in front of our Giant Robot 2 shop. Bargains will happen and at the same time, give the ultimate gift of a great home for a cat or kitten. For more information about the Giant Robot shops and magazine, please contact: Eric Nakamura Giant Robot Owner/Publisher eric@giantrobot.com (310) 479-7311 ###
Continue reading